Nexus 7-2 and Android 4.3: Watch the Google event live (updated live blog)

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Google has unveiled the new Nexus 7 tablet, Android 4.3, and the Chromecast HDMI TV dongle. Read our live blog updates below for the full breakdown of the event. The new Nexus 7 is thinner and lighter than its predecessor, a 1920×1200 (323 PPI) screen, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro SoC. Android 4.3 introduces some interesting new features, but if you were hoping for a major overhaul to compete against iOS 7, you’ll be disappointed. The Chromecast dongle, priced at just $35, is probably the most exciting announcement — but more on that later.

12:00 ET: And we’re about to begin. I’m excited to see what Google plans on showing. Hopefully, it won’t be a minor update — Android could use something new and exciting.

12:15 ET: And we’re starting! Android SVP is on stage. Tablets are exploding, and tablets are selling better than PCs. Google is now sitting at 70 million Android tablets activated. Impressive numbers. The Nexus 7 helped push Android to popularity in the tablet market, so Google seems to be doubling down. 10% of Android tablets sold are Nexus 7. The new Nexus 7 is here!

It features a 1.2MP front camera and 5MP rear camera. Nice! Running on a 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro, and that adds 1.8x CPU, 4x GPU performance over the original Nexus 7. LTE in a single model — regardless of carrier. Up to 9 hours of video playback, 10 hours of web browsing. Bluetooth 4.0 support included as well. Really good stuff.

12:25 ET: The new Nexus 7 will be the first device to ship with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. This new OS will feature multiple logins, and restricted accounts. Parents can now restrict their kids from content. OpenGL|ES 3.0 support ships with Android 4.3, and this means better performance for games. Good news for developers.

12:30 ET: With the new DRM API, more HD content can be delivered to tablets. Netflix is already using these APIs, and the new Nexus 7 is the first tablet to take advantage of this

Nexus 4, 7, 10, and Galaxy Nexus will get 4.3 in an update, and more devices will roll out eventually.

12:35 ET: Chrome on Android 4.3 now has Google Translate built-in. Good to see. Google Maps has a lot of exploration and Yelp-like features. Clearly, the maps team has stepped up its game.

12:40 ET: Google now has a new app called “Google Play Games.” It seems like a Game Center competitor. No green felt here! Integrated with Google+ — shocking, I know. It’s available today, and ships with the new Nexus 7.

12:45 ET: Google Play Text Books will be available in August, and you’ll be able to rent book for 80% off the face price.

Next Tuesday, buy the WiFi models in the US online or at countless retailers. The LTE model will ship later, and worldwide support is coming in the following weeks. The 16GB WiFi model will cost $229, the 32GB WiFi model will cost $269, and the 32GB LTE model will cost $349. Really compelling stuff.

12:50 ET: Chrome is coming to the TV. Chromecast is a tiny 2-inch stick has a male HDMI plug, and runs a simplified version of Chrome OS. Use your laptop, phone, or tablet to load content on your TV directly from the internet.

12:55 ET: Interestingly, it can turn on your TV, switch input, and start playing videos simply by tapping a button on your phone. iOS, Android, Windows, OS X, or Chrome OS, it works simply and seamlessly. It’s never tied to a single device for control. Really cool stuff.

01:05 ET: They’re really leaning heavily on “It just works” a la Apple. Kind of strange. Even so, the Chromecast integration in the browser is pretty compelling — maybe even better than Apple’s AirPlay. Let’s hope that Google can execute on this tiny $35 device as they roll out the beta.

01:10 ET: Google Cast SDK is rolling out to devs with support for iOS, Android, and Chrome on all desktop platforms. Order online today, and in Best Buys later this month. Even better, it ships with 3-months of Netflix for free.

01:15 ET: That wraps up today’s event. Some really cool stuff, and a few disappointments along the way. Apple better have some really compelling stuff lined up for later this year.

House renovation means moving primary PCs around. I realized we will still want something in our main living area for entertainment, quick communications, research etc. I briefly considered various all-in-ones and laptops. Then I realized what workhorses the mobile devices we already have are.

For the same price as a miserably under-powered PC (thank Microsoft’s bloated OS), I can add two new tablets to our household.

I would actually prefer a full Windows machine, but Microsoft and PC makers clearly haven’t come to grips with what they are up against with Android and iOS. PCs are way over priced now.

I am quite sure that as our PCs age or fall apart, we will eventually become a one PC household again. We currently have 4 PCs, 3 smart phones and 1 tablet. In five years the PC to tablet ratio will be inverse.

Chris Shakal

Apparently, this thing has an S4 Pro cpu, which IIRC, came out about a year ago. I understand it’s maybe for cost-savings, but still, why not go with the S600 or something?

John Zampier

Well, it benchmarks about 50% faster than the first Nexus, and it’s driving more than twice as many pixels. So I think it does pretty well for itself. I dunno about you, but my original nexus 7 is smooth as can be and I don’t plan on upgrading till the next version, even if it had an S600.

Chris Shakal

I personally have an Optimus G with an S4 Pro, and it’s a capable cpu. I’d still like to try the 600, though, or even the 800.

Chelsea Richards

In my limited time with the Nexus 7, the colors in a few applications (Internet surfing, maps, photograph mode) seemed superior to the old tablet. Don’t forget the remote Qi charging and the Slim Port back for HDMI out. Both major updates over the definitive Nexus 7.MotionModels.com

canlam100

I am quite sure that as our PCs age or fall apart, we will eventually become a one PC household again. We currently have 4 PCs, 3 smart phones and 1 tablet. In five years the PC to tablet ratio will be inverse.